Dwarf Stars and Clusters with K2, January 16-18, 2018

Image Credit: Eric Kilby

Summary

The K2 Mission and Boston University will host a Dwarf Stars and Clusters Workshop on Jan 16-18, 2018,
at BU in Boston, Massachusetts.

Since its launch in 2009, the Kepler telescope has been providing high precision photometric time series on half a million
targets, from exoplanet hosts to active dwarf stars. With its focus on the ecliptic plane, the K2 Mission has further
expanded science opportunities, especially in the area of stellar clusters and magnetic activity. By the end of 2017, K2
will have observed more than 15 open clusters and associations, some on more than one occasion. The resulting data have
enabled ground-breaking research on a number of topics, including gyrochronology, stellar rotation and activity, planet
occurrence rates, young stellar objects, and eclipsing binary systems. Astronomers working in these areas are warmly
invited to gather for discussion at BU this coming January.

The motivations for this workshop include:

Summarizing the science done to date with K2 in the area of cool stars, star formation regions, and open clusters.

Agenda

This will be a small workshop with time for most participants to give a short
overview of their research during the first two days. Talks are 10 minutes each, plus 5 minutes for questions.
(There will not be any posters.) We have reserved the final morning for "unconference" activities, including data
how-to's and high-level science product creation overviews. We will also encourage participants to spend time
comparing technical approaches to K2 data, including photometry.

Venue

The workshop will take place on the Boston University campus, primarily at the College of Arts and Sciences.

The nearest airport is the Boston Logan International Airport.
We recommend using the MBTA system, which provides public transportation from the airport.

For those that wish to drive to campus, there should be parking available at the Granby Lot, 665 Commonwealth Ave or the Kenmore Lot,
549 Commonwealth Ave., at a cost of $17 per day. If these are full, there are
other parking options available.
Attendants at the Granby and Kenmore Lots can offer directions.

For the first two days, the workshop will be held at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS; home of the Institute for Astrophysical
Research). Upon reaching the College of Arts and Sciences (home of the Institute for Astrophysical Research), proceed to the northwest
end of the building near the Marsh Chapel. Talks will be in CAS 211, and coffee breaks in CAS 500 and 502.
Look for signs directing you to the meeting.

On the third day, the Unconference will take place in the Terrace Lounge of the George Sherman Union (GSU). GSU is also our
suggested lunch site. It is located at 775 Commonwealth Ave. Right click on the above map and select 'view image' to see a larger
version.

Accommodation

There is no on-site accommodation available for this meeting, but we can recommend the following nearby hotels:

The Hyatt Regency Cambridge is just across
the river and walkable (at most 15 minutes) and has rooms for approximately $150-200/night + tax.

Hotel Buckminster is on the BU side of the river, in Kenmore Square.
Prices range from $110-150/night + tax.